--- title: "Tender for the Supply and Installation of a Dual Laser (Green/IR) Metal 3D Printer for the University of Birmingham" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM" published: "2023-09-19" --- # Tender for the Supply and Installation of a Dual Laser (Green/IR) Metal 3D Printer for the University of Birmingham Buyer: THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1.json) ## Summary The University of Birmingham is seeking tenders for the supply and installation of a dual laser (Green/IR) metal 3D printer. This tender falls under the goods category in the industry of miscellaneous special-purpose machinery. The University aims to invest in this technology to support sectors such as nuclear, space, quantum technology, biomedical, and defence. The contract period is set to start on October 30, 2023, and end on April 30, 2024. This tender presents an opportunity for businesses specialising in 3D printing technology, particularly those experienced in the supply and installation of advanced machinery. Companies capable of working with copper, precious metals, and functionally graded structures will find this tender suitable. The University of Birmingham requires a supplier who can meet specific technical criteria outlined in the tender to support research and development activities across various sectors. ## Notice The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a dual laser selective laser melting (metal 3D printing) platform. The machine needs to include 2 lasers; infra-red laser and green laser sources. The machine will be a part of an investment by the University of Birmingham to facilitate/support the development of components for the UK's nuclear, space, quantum technology, biomedical, and defence sectors. In this context, the machine will be used to develop new applications for the technology in collaboration with the end-users and carry out feasibility studies and pilot projects to address the specific requirements of these sectors. Therefore, it will be required as part of the project to build strong partnerships with the technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefits of the UK's economy. The machine should be able to 3D print copper and its alloys, precious metals and alloys (e.g. silver and its alloys) using the green laser beam, achieving density >99%. It should also allow the printing of functionally graded structures that are composed of two different materials (e.g. copper to tungsten) through changing the laser source from green to infra-red simultaneously or sequentially. The machine should allow full control on the process parameters (power/heat input, laser focus parameters, scanning strategies, materials dosing, etc...). There should be very limited restrictions on the types of materials (in powder form) that can be utilised using this platform. The system should be fully equipped with a process control interface, while being open source with respect to the process parameters. The build chamber should permit the usage of limited quantities of powders, allowing quick optimisation runs to performed and ease of cleaning following the completion of builds. This project may be funded by the University of Birmingham or; - Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. ### Lot Information Lot 1 The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a dual laser (infra red and green) selective laser melting (SLM) 3D printing machine. The machine will be a part of an investment by the University of Birmingham to facilitate/support the development of components for the UK's nuclear, space, and defence sectors. In this context, the machine will be used to develop new applications for the technology in collaboration with the end-users and carry out feasibility studies and pilot projects to address the specific requirements of these sectors. Therefore, it will be required as part of the project to build strong partnerships with the technology providers and define a joint co-funded R&D programme for the benefits of the UK's economy. The machine should be able to 3D printing refractory, precious, functional and structural metals and alloys using focused laser beam. The machine should allow full control on the process parameters (power/heat input, laser beam parameters, scanning strategies, materials dosing, etc...). There should be very limited restrictions on the types of materials (in powder form) that can be utilised using this platform. The system should be fully equipped with a process control interface, while being fully open with respect to the process parameters. The build chamber should permit the usage of limited quantities of powders, allowing quick optimisation runs to performed and ease of cleaning following the completion of builds. General characteristics 1. Laser beam * Laser sources: 2x different laser sources integrated in the machine of two different wavelengths: Green (532 nm) and infrared (1060 - 1080 nm). * Power: The system should be equipped with 2 laser sources and their associated optics; delivering at least 200 W for the green laser and 300 W for the infra-red laser (rated power), with the power input being fully controllable/adjustable by the user. * Laser beam spot size: The infrared Laser beam spot diameter size ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027570-2023 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 19 Sep 2023 | | Submission deadline | 17 Oct 2023 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 30 Oct 2023 - 30 Apr 2024 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £400,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM | | Locality | BIRMINGHAM | | Post town | Birmingham | | Postcode | B15 2TT | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLG West Midlands (England) | | ITL 2 | TLG3 West Midlands | | ITL 3 | TLG31 Birmingham | | Local authority | Birmingham | | Electoral ward | Edgbaston | | Westminster constituency | Birmingham Edgbaston | | Delivery location | TLG31 Birmingham | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 42 - Industrial machinery ### Codes - 42990000 - Miscellaneous special-purpose machinery ## Release History - 19 Sep 2023 at 08:11 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/027570-2023 ## Notice URLs - http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/index.aspx - http://www.in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Home ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0401d1.json.